沖縄自然写真 By Shawn Miller

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Category Archives: Okinawa-Japan

Okinawa has three species of pit vipers and one coral snake. These venomous snakes are commonly found in the jungle. They are sometimes found in neighborhoods and local parks at nighttime during the summer season. Majority of the snake bites that I am familiar with happened on neighborhood night walks or harvesting sugar cane. I have seen pit vipers on public roads at night, on sidewalks, crawling on fences, on rock walls, in drainage ditches and inside vending machines.

Drink machine – Photo by Leia Heider

The Okinawan Habu is the largest and most venomous pit viper found on Okinawa.

The Taiwanese Habu was introduced to Okinawa in the 1970′s. They were imported for exhibitions and medical purposes. Somehow a few escaped and have populated the Island. I have seen over a dozen on my night hikes near Ryukyu Mura in Onna village.

Scientific name: Trimeresurus mucrosquamatus

Common name: Taiwanese habu or Brown spotted pit viper

Habitat: Rock walls, trees and caves

Diet: Frogs, bats, mice and birds

Average size: 80-150cm

Taiwanes habu- Onna village. Ready to strike!

Taiwanese habu- patiently waiting for a frog

Taiwanese habu -Onna village, Okinawa

Taiwanese habu- neighborhood at night

The Princess habu is the most common venomous snake on Okinawa. It is the smallest of the pit vipers found here.

Scientific name: Ovophis okinavensis

Common name: Princess habu or Hime habu

Habitat: Rivers, ponds, creeks and runoff ditches.

Diet: Mainly frogs

Average size: 40-80cm

Princess habu -Yanbaru forest

Large Princes habu- Yanbaru

Princess habu -MYN technique

Princess habu – Northern Okinawa

The Okinawan coral snake is extremely rare. I have only seen two specimens

Scientific name: Sinomicrurus japonicus boettgeri

Common name: Okinawan coral snake

Habitat: Forest areas in northern Okinawa

Diet: blind snakes and small lizards

Average size: 30-60cm

Ways to avoid injury!

Avoid catching or handling venomous snakes

Wear exposure protection, such as snake boots when exploring the forest at night.

Ishikawa’s frog (Odorrana ishikawae) is the most beautiful frog found in Japan. It is only found in northern Okinawa and currently on the endangered species list. It is one of the many endemic species facing extinction due to habitat loss. Ishikawa’s frog is a designated national monument of Okinawa.

This is my favorite frog on Okinawa. I have only seen about a dozen in the last three years.